If you have a mild case of diverticulosis, it may go away on its own without treatment. Up to 30% of people with diverticulosis do develop diverticulitis. Between 5% and 15% will develop rectal bleeding. Most people who have diverticulitis will recover with about a seven to 10-day course of antibiotics and rest.
Curing diverticulitis
The only way to cure diverticulitis is with surgery. You may need surgery for diverticulitis when you have: Complications (obstruction, punctured colon wall, severe abscess) Repeated episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis.
Uncomplicated diverticulitis
Your doctor is likely to recommend: Antibiotics to treat infection, although new guidelines state that in very mild cases, they may not be needed. A liquid diet for a few days while your bowel heals. Once your symptoms improve, you can gradually add solid food to your diet.
The anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric may protect the digestive tract, increase the secretion of some enzymes, and relieve pain.
The doctor also may suggest taking a fiber product, such as Citrucel® or Metamucil®, once a day. Your doctor may recommend a low- or high-fiber diet depending on your condition. Listed below are high-fiber food options for diverticulosis and low-fiber food options for diverticulitis.
CAUSES. The most commonly accepted theory for the formation of diverticulosis is related to high pressure within the colon, which causes weak areas of the colon wall to bulge out and form the sacs. A diet low in fiber and high in red meat may also play a role.
Once diverticula form, they do not disappear by themselves. Fortunately, most patients with diverticulosis do not have symptoms, and therefore do not need treatment.
In about 80 out of 100 people, complicated diverticulitis clears up within a few weeks of having treatment with antibiotics.
Actually, no specific foods are known to trigger diverticulitis attacks. And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn.
Burdock tea might be able to modify the formation of subsequent pathogenic diverticulum by its fiber-rich properties.
If you don't treat it, diverticulitis can lead to serious complications that require surgery: Abscesses, collections of pus from the infection, may form around the infected diverticula. If these go through the intestinal wall, you could get peritonitis. This infection can be fatal.
In serious cases, diverticulitis can lead to bleeding, tears, or blockages. Your doctor will do a physical exam and imaging tests to diagnose it. Treatment may include antibiotics, pain relievers, and a liquid diet. A serious case may require a hospital stay or surgery.
You can have diverticulosis and not have any pain or symptoms. But symptoms may include mild cramps, swelling or bloating, and constipation. These symptoms can also be caused by irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers, or other health problems. These symptoms don't always mean that you have diverticulosis.
As you get older, your colon wall can become weaker. This can cause small pockets or pouches to form in weakened areas of your colon. If these pouches get infected, it can cause a diverticulitis attack or flare-up.
A liquid diet and rest are usually the best ways to ease diverticulitis symptoms. If there is a bleed within the intestines you may need to be hospitalized. Only in severe cases is surgery needed to remove the diseased pouches. With the proper care, diverticulosis symptoms may go away within in a few days.
Low-grade inflammation and altered intestinal microbiota have been identified as factors contributing to abdominal symptoms. Probiotics may lead to symptoms improvement by modifying the gut microbiota and are promising treatments for diverticular disease.
Dairy: “Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are real winners if you're recovering from a flare-up: They're high in protein, calcium and other nutrients and don't have any fiber. They're also soft, moist and easier to get down if you're not feeling well,” says Taylor.
Psyllium husk is a super-beneficial addition to your diet if you have diverticulosis or diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is a condition in which pea-sized pouches bulge outward from the large intestine. These pouches are typically harmless unless they become inflamed or infected (diverticulitis).
A high level of vitamin D was protective against diverticulitis in patients with uncomplicated diverticulosis.
I originally started using ACV as I read it can help cure diverticulitis. I mixed it with 8 ounces of warm water and a pinch of cayenne pepper. I will say, it helped clear up the diverticulitis, and I continued taking it for many weeks after because of all the health benefits I read about.
Most people with diverticulosis or diverticular disease do not need to avoid specific foods. In the past, doctors used to recommend avoiding nuts, popcorn, and seeds. However, more recent research suggests that these foods are not harmful to people with diverticulosis or diverticular disease.